What sets Barcelona apart from the other ports I’m featuring this week is the fact that the majority of Western European cruises depart from Barcelona. This is definitely a departure port that you want to arrive at a few days early – there’s plenty to see, do & eat in this beautiful city pre-cruise.
We cruised out of Barcelona on the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas & booked our two days in the city pre-cruise directly through Royal Caribbean. We stayed at the Hotel Diagonal, a funky, modern hotel located in the Sant Marti neighborhood, in the shadow of the amazing Agbar Tower.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
My “must see” Barcelona list includes a lot of fan favorites & some hidden gems:
Designed by the famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, this funky park features a whole bunch of Gaudi’s famous colorful, wavy, psychedelic architecture. Admission to the park, which sits high up on a hill overlooking the city, is free & you could literally spend an entire afternoon exploring all the hidden coves. There’s a little cafe on-site that serves sandwiches, but try to hold out for one of the tapas bars that dot the neighboring streets.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
The Boqueria Market, located right off the tourist destination of Las Ramblas, is probably my favorite spot in Barcelona. This giant public market is literally sensory overload: everywhere you look is a beautiful display of something. Candy. Shrimp. Apples. Fish. Rabbit. Oranges. Figs. Pigs heads (yes, really). It’s all stunning & accessible in the way that no market in the United States is. You could spend hours roaming the stalls, enjoying the sights & sounds of this authentically Catalan place.
The oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter (or Barri Gotic) is a real treat for those of us who are from countries that just don’t have buildings that date back to Medieval times. The highlight of this area is the beautiful gothic cathedral. Take some time to explore inside, being mindful of those who consider this a pilgrimage site. The best part about exploring the Gothic Quarter is the fact that it’s incredibly pedestrian friendly: it’s closed to all vehicular traffic. The area is full of quiet nooks & courtyards. For an incredible view of the area, explore at dusk & see the sun’s setting rays bouncing off the 13th century architecture.
Of course there are lots of Barcelona attractions not included on my list: the huge Sagrada Família (we actually only saw the outside at night – must go back!), a Gaudi architecture tour, & if you’re there in the summer, the beach scene along the Mediterraniean is wonderful in Barcelona. Regardless of what you spend your time doing, Barcelona is one port you’ll definitely want to spend a few days in.
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